Putin Says Russian Might |Turned Tide in Syria

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin says Russia’s new weapons have proven their worth in Syria. Putin said Tuesday that Russian warplanes have flown more than 10,000 combat missions since the air campaign began on Sept. 30. He said they struck more than 30,000 targets, including 200 oil facilities, allowing the Syrian military to drive militants from 500 towns and villages. Russia has for the first time tested in combat its new air- and sea-launched cruise missiles to hit targets in Syria. The Russian military pulled out some of its warplanes from Syria in March but has continued to strike the Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front. A Russian- and U.S.-brokered cease-fire that began on Feb. 27 has helped reduce hostilities, although fighting has continued in some areas.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.